The editorial “Legendary Tendulkar!: His 50th century in Tests is mind-boggling”( Dec 21 ) is a salute to the Indian cricket master. It rightly commented that breaking records seems to come naturally to him and his landmark 50th Test century against South Africa should be a lesson to anyone aspiring to make it big in international cricket.

Also the beauty of this cricket legend’s extraordinary talent is that most of his records are unsurpassable in foreseeable future. It is befitting, therefore, for 2010 to draw to a close with a stupendous achievement by a hero who has epitomised sporting perfection for over two decades and given millions of Indians countless moments of pride and joy. He has gone where no cricketer ever had before — and no one else may ever venture.

The editorial rightly concluded that Tendulkar is not only a role model for the young in how he plays. His temperament, his sense of patriotism and his level-headedness hold him out as a person worthy of emulation by all. One cannot but wish this cricketing legend anything but the best for all that he has done to make the game popular not only in India but around the world.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh

Check corruption

The editorial ”Taking on
corruption: Onus on Congress to implement its agenda”(Dec 21) is apt in saying that if Congress President Sonia Gandhi is really so serious to wipe out corruption, she should ensure the enforcement of her five- point agenda at the Centre and in her party-ruled states. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Given the public outrage against the recent scandals, the parties have come to realise that an aam admi expects a concrete and credible action plan and not just tall and empty promises.

It will be interesting to see how readily and willingly the Congress chief ministers and ministers accept Sonia Gandhi’s advice to give up their discretionary powers. Going by the past instances of their stonewalling and obstructing anti-corruption laws, they will not come forward so easily to renounce their perks and privileges. They will invent hundreds of excuses and reasons against the implementation of Sonia Gandhi’s brainchild. So will scheming bureaucrats.

Hoping against hope that the Congress will succeed in its efforts and that other parties will also follow in its footsteps, corruption, which has become a curse and a cancer of society may be on the wane if not on its last leg before too long.

HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur

Aam aadmi & politics

Of what use to aam aadmi is the personal status, sobriety and integrity of Dr Manmohan Singh when there is rise in corruption, poverty, inflation and unemployment (news report, “Congress unveils plan to tackle corruption” and “Rahul defines ‘aam aadmi’, Dec 20).

Aam aadmi wants the felony of the ruling elites to be curbed. Rampant corruption has snatched away common man’s aspirations for a better life. There is hardly any landmark achievement to the credit of various governments in the past and present, comprising of politicians of different hues. Aam aadmi’s participation in democracy is limited to voting. However, if awakened he can deter tainted politicians from gaining entry into the corridors of power.

Dr SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

Onion prices

As if the hike in bus fares and petrol and diesel prices were not enough, now the recent hike in the price of onions has dealt another blow to the common man. High prices of onions, an essential food ingredient, are likely to disturb the household budgets of the common people.

SAHIL KASHYAP, via email

Fight drug abuse

Drug abuse is a psychiatric, psychological and social problem (“Drug-hit adolescence” by Rajat Ray and Anju Dhawan, Dec 18). While persons of all ages and places can fall into the trap of drug abuse, the most susceptible among them are the youth. Not surprising, drug abuse has almost become an epidemic among the youth.

Today, drugs have the potential to threaten the life of a nation as a whole, what to talk of Punjab alone? Drugs are affecting our productivity, disrupting academic work, shattering families, increasing crime and overburdening social service agencies. The factors leading to drug addiction are lack of parental care and supervision, lack of moral and religious education, the influence of the media and pop culture, broken homes, disdain for authority, peer pressure, etc, leading the youth to seek refuge in drugs. Drugs relieve their tension and counter depression, although this period of ecstasy is short-lived.

Although drug abuse has a hoary past, it has become extremely convoluted, widespread and menacing today. Common painkillers are stocked in huge quantities by peddlers and openly sold. Known by the name of grass, weed, maal and hash, cannabis is illegally available at cheap prices. All this is done despite the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, under which possession of drugs is an offence. Those who smuggle drugs and lure young boys and girls should be punished severely. The enforcing agencies should drastically reduce the availability of illicit drugs and smash the distribution network. They must continue to make concerted efforts to rid society of this evil which needs to be fought at all levels — local, national and global. As drug trafficking is also patronised by some politicians and the bureaucrats, a joint task force of the police, the BSF and the Health Department must take up the challenge with active support from drug firms, social organisations and educational institutions. Victims of drug abuse should be given a chance of rehabilitation.

Clinics can detoxify addicts and educational institutions should guide their pupils to get rid of this social evil. Families and NGOs can help rehabilitate the addicts.